Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is very common.  Heartburn? Brash taste in your mouth? Some patients who have long-standing reflux have changes of their cell types in the esophagus due to acid from the stomach causing metaplasia of squamous cells to columnar cells.  This change in cell type is called Barrett’s esophagus.  This affects up to 6 million people in the United States with chronic GERD.  These cellular changes can progress to esophageal adenocarcinoma at an annual rate of around 0.15%.  More than 12,000 new cases are diagnosed annually of esophageal adenocarcinoma. 

Esophageal adenocarcinoma is often diagnosed in advanced stages and because of this there is a five-year survival rate of 16%.

The patients at high risk for developing Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal adenocarcinoma include men with five or more years of weekly GERD symptoms and two additional risk factors (including age > 50, white race, central obesity current or past smoker, and a family history of Barrett’s esophagus or esophageal adenocarcinoma).;

To help decrease this transition to esophageal adenocarcinoma, weight loss, smoking cessation and taking a proton pump inhibitor medication. Lifestyle modifications are always helpful: Avoid foods that are triggers for reflux symptoms (mint, alcohol, nicotine, fatty or fried foods, acidic or spicy foods). Sleep with the head of the bed raised 30 degrees. Avoid eating within 3 hours of bedtime.

If you have reflux symptoms for 5 years or more or worsening symptoms of reflux despite medication, you are urged to see a gastroenterologist.